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Fulbright & Jaworski
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We have received comments about how well some firms' part-time programs are
working. These comments are often anonymous and cannot be verified;
therefore, they should be viewed as unreliable and given no more weight than
gossip.
If you would like
to comment on this firm's part-time policies or on the comments
themselves, please click here.
Comments on the firm's part-time policy:
Modified Work Schedule Program offers modified and flexible
work schedules for attorneys to accommodate significant personal
needs w/out compromising potential for advancement. Part-time
schedule is not available to entry-level associates. Participants
must reapply every 48 months to stay on the program. Full benefits,
proportional pay, and proportionate credit toward advancement
are available to attorneys who make a chargeable time commitment
at a 75% or greater level. The firm has a coordinator of its modified
work schedule program, which PAR considers to be a best practice.
From a female attorney (2006): I bill 60% of full time (60%
of 2000 hours annually). This firm is wonderful about part time
work. In addition to allowing part time arrangements, it allows
part of the time to be worked from home (and provides blackberries
and laptops for free) and other flexible arrangements. The focus
is doing good work for clients, period. And if this can be accomplished
with a part time schedule, the firm welcomes it and will assist
a part-timer in making things work. The firm values part timer
contributions and even if you are part time, you are given plenty
of client contact, interesting matters to work on, and the firm
lets you spend money developing business and marketing. The firm
"gets" the concept that an experienced lawyer can contribute
to the firm's practice and clients without having to work 24/7.
Yet we are never made to feel like "second class citizens."
I think the firm also understands retention of experienced lawyers
is good for clients, too. By the way, clients are usually fine
with the part time arrangement too. A very progressive firm with
an "open door" policy and very solution-oriented. We
all work around our various schedules and it works out nicely.
Communication is key.
The following
comments are from the firm:
Fulbright
& Jaworski L.L.P. ("Fulbright") has a long history
of working with its attorneys to address significant personal
and other needs when they arise. The Firm believes that the flexibility
to deal with these situations has served the Firm and those desiring
modified work schedules well. Based on these principles, Fulbright
formalized its Modified Work Schedules Program ("Program")
in 1998 and revised it in 2003. Prior to that time, the Firm approved
part-time schedules on a case-by-case basis.
Participation in the Program may be approved for attorneys for
significant personal reasons, such as child rearing and serious
family illness or death. Both men and women are eligible for and
participate in the Program. To be eligible, an attorney must have
practiced law on a full-time basis for at least twenty-four (24)
consecutive months before participating in the Program, but not
necessarily with the Firm.Associates
in the Program receive credit toward advancement toward partnership
based upon their pro-rata contribution of chargeable and non-chargeable
hours as compared to the total hours expected of non-Program Attorneys
with comparable experience and skills. Associate compensation,
including bonuses, is proportional. Direct proportionality for
advancement and compensation requires a commitment of seventy-five
percent (75%) or greater of chargeable and non-chargeable time.
Eighteen hundred and fifty (1850) hours is the 100% benchmark
for chargeable time. On average, full-time associates spend approximately
380 hours per year on non-chargeable matters. Some of this time
qualifies for proportional efforts bonus consideration. Compensation
and advancement credit for those associates committing to less
than seventy-five percent (75%) are determined on a case-by-case
basis. There are no minimum hours required to participate in the
Program, but benefits are available to those attorneys who make
a commitment to client chargeable and non-chargeable time of thirty-two
hours (32) per week on average.
Partners, Counsel, and Senior Counsel attorneys also are eligible
for the Program, and their benefits, compensation, and advancement
are determined on a case-by-case basis.
The
firm's 2004 press release regarding its flexible work program
can be found here.
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